Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 403: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will review the terms of reference of the working group on turf cutting to a fairer and more open review of process, to include concerns of families who have relied on this source of locally produced fuel to provide them with an opportunity to put forward a workable solution to continue to avail of this natural resource and to allow the working group a fair opportunity to more openly consider their concerns; his views on the terms of reference and the exclusion of participation as full members of the working group of the turf cutters' representatives as an unfair evaluation process of their predicament. [35659/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I understand the concerns of families who rely on turf-cutting for their domestic fuel supplies. There is no intention to restrict this activity on the vast majority of bogs within the State, where cutting may continue as before. The restrictions on domestic turf cutting on designated Raised Bogs affect only about 4% of the total area of bogland available for cutting. These restrictions are required for the State to fulfil its legal obligations to protect these sites under the EU Habitats Directive.

The Inter-Departmental Working Group on the Cessation of Turf Cutting in Designated Areas consists of representatives from the relevant Government Departments and Agencies of State which are concerned with the legal, financial and administrative aspects of cessation. The Working Group has invited submissions from interested parties and has met with representatives of turf-cutting and conservation interests. All submissions received and views expressed, including proposed approaches and solutions, are being considered. The Working Group will report to me on the measures that may be required to implement the cessation, from the end of the year, on the first 32 raised bog Special Areas of Conservation. These measures will include full consideration of the impact of any cessation on those families and individuals who have relied on turf cutting in these bogs for their fuel supplies.